What Can You Learn From Your Pets?

There have been a number of studies indicating that having a pet can provide a number of benefis for both physical and emotional well-being. But did you know you can also learn from your pet as well? WebMD has a great slideshow entitled “Twenty Things You Can Learn from Your Pets.” I’m going to share my five favorites from the list. Want more? Check out the full slideshow!

Forget Multitasking

When dogs have a job to do, they give it their undivided attention. It turns out people should probably do the same. Stanford researchers found that attention and memory suffer in those who juggle work, email, and web-surfing, compared to those who focus on one task at a time. Other studies suggest employees actually lose time when multitasking.

Walk Every Day

Whether you’ve got four legs or two, walking is one of the safest, easiest ways to burn calories and boost heart health.

Be Silly

Indulging in a little silliness may have serious health benefits. Cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center found a stronger sense of humor in people with healthy hearts than in those who had suffered a heart attack. They conclude that “laughter is the best medicine” – especially when it comes to protecting your heart.

If You Love Someone, Show It

Dogs don’t play hard to get – when they love you, they show you. It’s a good approach for people seeking to strengthen their relationships. A study published in the journal Personal Relationships suggests small, thoughtful gestures can have a big impact on how connected and satisfied couples feel.

Be Aware of Body Language

Dogs are excellent at reading each other’s intent from body language. Humans, not so much. While most of us do reveal our emotions through posture, speech patterns, and eye contact, other people generally aren’t very good at reading those cues. People get better at decoding body language as they get older.

I definitely recommend checking out the full post on WebMD. Who knew you could learn so much from your pet?

Has your pet taught you something that wasn’t on the list? Leave a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear about your special relationship with your dog or cat.